Best LPN Programs in Newark 2026

Discover Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) programs in Newark, New Jersey with information on schools, classes, tuition, and clinical training. Review licensing requirements and nursing career opportunities in the Newark area.

Written by Jane Dewy and Edited by The PracticalNursing.org Editorial Team.
Expert Guide Verified updated on May 29th, 2025.
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Newark New Jersey LPN programs offering practical nursing education and hands-on clinical experience for entry-level nursing careers

2026 Best LPN Programs in Newark, NJ

Looking for the best LPN programs in Newark, NJ? You are in the right place. PracticalNursing.org has carefully reviewed and ranked these programs to help you make a smart choice. Our rankings consider factors like program quality, student success, and affordability. We want you to find a program that fits your needs and gets you ready for a great career in nursing. Check out our top picks to start your journey today. https://www.practicalnursing.org/rankings-methodology/
#1

Holy Name Medical Center-Sister Claire Tynan School of Nursing

Englewood Cliffs, NJ - Private 2-year - holyname.org

Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

Holy Name Medical Center's 60-week Practical Nursing program, accredited by ACEN and approved by the New Jersey State Board of Nursing, integrates theory, hands-on labs, and clinical experiences across diverse healthcare settings. Students develop clinical judgment and patient-centered care skills, earning 17 transferable college credits. With a focus on safety competencies and teamwork, the program prepares graduates for LPN licensure amid rising demand. Financial aid is available, and no entrance exam is required for this career-launching education rooted in Roman Catholic values.

  • 60-week program duration.
  • Combines theory and clinical training.
  • Approved by NJ State Board.
  • 17 transferable college credits.
  • Hands-on skills lab sessions.
  • Clinical experiences in care facilities.
  • Eligible for LPN licensure.
  • Growing demand for LPNs.
  • ACEN-accredited program.
  • Focus on patient-centered care.
#2

Jersey College

Teterboro, NJ - Private 2-year - jerseycollege.edu

Certificate/Diploma - LPN Program

Campus Based - Visit Website

Jersey College's campus-based LPN Program in Teterboro, NJ, provides a thorough nursing education blending academic coursework with clinical training to prepare students for the NCLEX-PN exam. Emphasizing holistic patient care, the program offers hands-on experience in diverse healthcare settings, requiring only a high school diploma or GED for admission. Accredited by the New Jersey Board of Nursing, it ensures quality and includes flexible scheduling to support students at various life stages, making it ideal for aspiring practical nurses seeking a robust foundation without entrance exams.

  • Campus-based program
  • Prepares for NCLEX-PN exam
  • High school diploma or GED required
  • Accredited by NJ Board of Nursing
  • Combines theory and clinical training
  • Flexible scheduling options
  • Focus on holistic patient care
  • Hands-on healthcare experience
  • Designed for aspiring LPNs
  • Quality nursing education
#3

UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ

Cranford, NJ - Public 2-Year - ucc.edu

Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ offers a four-semester Practical Nursing Certificate program that integrates biological and social sciences with hands-on clinical training. Daytime courses are complemented by varied clinical rotation schedules, providing diverse patient care experiences across different healthcare settings. Enrollment prerequisites include CPR certification, malpractice insurance, health documentation, a criminal background check, and an official uniform. The program, which pursues NLN CNEA accreditation, emphasizes applying theoretical knowledge to real-world nursing practice, with the TEAS Exam information available for prospective students.

  • Four-semester program.
  • Daytime nursing courses.
  • Diverse clinical rotation schedules.
  • Incorporates biological and social sciences.
  • Practical client care experiences.
  • CPR certification required.
  • Malpractice insurance needed.
  • Health documentation mandatory.
  • Criminal background check required.
  • Official uniform needed.
#4

Essex County College

Newark, NJ - Public 2-Year - essex.edu

Certificate/Diploma - Licensed Practical Nurse

Campus Based - Visit Website

Essex County College's 49-credit Licensed Practical Nurse Academic Certificate offers a robust foundation for healthcare careers. The program emphasizes rigorous coursework in anatomy, physiology, and nursing techniques, with hands-on clinical practice in diverse settings. Students master patient assessment, medical documentation, and care across adult, maternal, child, and mental health areas. Accredited by the NJ Board of Nursing, it prepares graduates for the NCLEX-PN exam, requiring a minimum 'C' grade and health clearances. This campus-based program builds critical cognitive, psychomotor, and communication skills, ensuring readiness for entry-level nursing roles without entrance exams, as it's not specified for LPN programs.

  • 49-credit comprehensive LPN program
  • Accredited by NJ Board of Nursing
  • Prepares for NCLEX-PN exam
  • Covers adult, maternal, child health
  • Clinical placement required
#5

Hudson County Community College

Jersey City, NJ - Public 2-Year - hccc.edu

Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing Certificate

Campus Based - Visit Website

Hudson County Community College's Practical Nursing Certificate equips students with essential skills for patient care in diverse healthcare settings under supervision. The program covers critical nursing interventions, patient teaching, and supportive techniques, requiring a high school diploma or GED, specific coursework, and passing the NCLEX-PN. With an 87.5% NCLEX-PN pass rate and 80% job placement, it offers a solid foundation for a rewarding LPN career. Highlights include campus-based training, clinical experience, and options to transfer to RN programs, plus prerequisites like health screenings and background checks.

  • Campus-based nursing certificate
  • High NCLEX-PN pass rate
  • Multiple healthcare work settings
  • Transfer to RN program
  • High job placement rate
  • Comprehensive clinical training
  • Requires health screening
  • Background check required
*Official IPEDS 2023 data from the National Center for Education Statistics.

Newark LPN Program Overview

Licensed Practical Nurses are essential contributors to Newark’s healthcare delivery, providing direct, hands-on care under the supervision of registered nurses and physicians. In the city’s hospitals, long-term care and rehabilitation facilities, home health agencies, and community clinics, LPNs support patient assessments, medication administration, wound care, and patient education that help keep care accessible and coordinated across neighborhoods.

Newark’s healthcare landscape includes major acute care hospitals, extensive networks of nursing and residential care facilities, and a large footprint of outpatient and community-based services. Consistent with federal labor data, LPNs are widely employed in long-term care, home health, and ambulatory settings, with opportunities in hospital-based units as well. Local employers value LPNs for their role in chronic disease management, post-acute transitions, and community health outreach.

LPN programs in the Newark area are typically structured as practical nursing certificate pathways that can be completed in approximately 12 months of full-time study. Many colleges and vocational-technical schools also offer part-time or evening/weekend options that commonly extend to about 18 to 24 months. Curricula generally cover fundamentals of nursing, pharmacology, medical-surgical nursing, maternal-child health, mental health, and gerontology, paired with supervised clinical rotations in local hospitals, long-term care facilities, and community clinics to build bedside and outpatient skills.

Programs are designed to prepare graduates for the NCLEX-PN licensure exam. In New Jersey, practical nursing education and licensure are regulated by the New Jersey Board of Nursing, which approves PN programs and outlines requirements for licensure, including completion of an approved program and a passing NCLEX-PN score.

Employment Opportunities for LPNs in Newark

The demand for Licensed Practical Nurses in Newark, New Jersey, is robust and consistently growing across a variety of healthcare settings. The state of New Jersey projects a 9.7% increase in LPN positions from 2020 to 2030, a rate that surpasses the national average, indicating a positive outlook for future employment.

LPNs in Newark can expect a competitive salary, with an average hourly pay of approximately $32.05 and an average annual salary around $66,660 as of May 2023. Salaries typically range from $27.91 to $38.99 per hour, reflecting various experience levels and specialties. The majority of LPNs in New Jersey are employed in full-time roles, contributing to a stable career path. As of 2021, the state reported 24,180 active LPN licenses, highlighting a significant professional community.

Newark’s healthcare landscape offers diverse employment opportunities for LPNs, including:

  • Nursing Homes and Extended Care Facilities:These facilities are the most common employers for LPNs in New Jersey, accounting for 36% of the LPN workforce. Examples in or near Newark include Grove Park Healthcare Center, Cornell Care & Rehabilitation Center, Park Crescent Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, Artis Care Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, Sinai Post Acute Nursing and Rehab Center, Forest Hill Healthcare Center, New Community Extended Care Facility, New Vista, Lincoln Park Care Center, and Elmora Hills Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center.
  • Home Health Agencies:Approximately 19% of New Jersey’s LPNs work in home health services. Key agencies frequently hiring in and around Newark include Summit Home Care, TrueCare24, BAYADA Home Health Care, Care Options for Kids, and Aveanna Healthcare.
  • Assisted Living and Senior Living Facilities:Approximately 8.3% of LPNs in the state find employment in these communities. Notable examples include Arbor’s Elegant Assisted Living Community, Winchester Gardens, Brookdale Senior Living Inc., Cedar Crest Village by Erickson Senior Living, and Brandywine Living.
  • Hospitals:Hospitals employ 8.3% of LPNs in New Jersey, with roles often focused on direct patient care in outpatient and pediatric units.
  • Private Practices and Ambulatory Care:Approximately 10.5% of LPNs work in ambulatory care settings. The City of Newark’s Department of Health and Community Wellness operates the Mary Eliza Mahoney Health Center, offering adult, pediatric, and behavioral care services.
  • Rehabilitation Centers:Specialized rehabilitation centers frequently seek LPNs, including those with behavioral health experience.
  • Correctional Facilities:Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, hires LPNs for positions at Northern State Prison in Newark.
  • Other Settings:Opportunities also exist for LPNs in school nurse roles and medical research environments, such as Biotrial Inc.

Prominent healthcare employers in Newark that regularly hire LPNs include:

  • RWJBarnabas Health:As New Jersey’s largest integrated healthcare delivery system, RWJBarnabas Health operates significant facilities like Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and actively recruits LPNs for various roles.
  • University Hospital:This 519-bed academic medical center serves as Northern New Jersey’s sole Level I Trauma Center and is a major employer of LPNs in the city.
  • Saint Michael’s Medical Center:A 358-bed regional tertiary-care, teaching, and research center in Newark, recognized for its comprehensive healthcare services.

Beyond these major hospital systems, a vast network of nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, and home health agencies consistently posts LPN positions throughout Newark and its surrounding communities, contributing to a robust job market for qualified professionals.

List of LPN Programs in Newark, NJ

If you are looking for LPN programs in Newark, NJ, this list gives you a good start. It shows schools in the city and state, highlights key features of each program, and provides links to their program pages. You can easily compare options and find more details by clicking the links. This helps you make a smart choice for your nursing education.
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Newark, NJ

Essex County College

  • Certificate/Diploma - Licensed Practical Nurse

    Campus Based - Website

    • 49-credit comprehensive LPN program
    • Accredited by NJ Board of Nursing
    • Prepares for NCLEX-PN exam
    • Covers adult, maternal, child health
    • Clinical placement required
*Data reference: NCES IPEDS 2023 Final Release.